Territory



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN O. VITT, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA TERRITORY.

PRESSURE-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,120, dated November 29, 1898. Application filed September 29, 1897. Serial No. 653,501. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. VITT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Maricopa and Territory of Arizona, have invented a new and useful Automatic Pressure-Regulator, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic pressure-regulators designed to be attached to a gas-meter and to be coupled with the service-pipe of a house, dwelling, building, or other structure; and the primary object that I have in view is to provide a simple construction in which the parts act automatically to regulate the pressure and flow of gas from the meter to the service-pipe, so as to insure a steady and brilliant light at the burners.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple means for the attachment of the pressure-regulator to the meter and to the service-pipe in a manner to secure tight joints between the several working parts and to permit of the proper vertical play of the movable element or gasometer forming a part of the improved regulator or governor.

W'ith these ends in viewpmy invention consists in the novel combination of elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

To enable others to understand my invention, I have illustrated the preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation of a gas-governor or pressure-regulator embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view on the plane indicated by the dotted line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional plan View on the plane indicated by the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l designates the cylindrical casing. lt is placed in a vertical position adjacent to a gasmeter, (not shown,) and it is open at its upper and lower ends. The lower open end of this cylindrical casing is screw-threaded both externally and internally to receive a plug 2 and a cylindrical valvebox 3. The cylindrical valve-box has its open upper end internally screw-threaded to engage with the external screw-threads of the cylinder, and in the lower closed head of this Valve-box is provided an internally-threaded aperture 3, into which is screwed an exteriorly-threaded meter-nipple 4. The upper end of the meter.- ni pple protrudes into the valve-box, and near said protruding upper end of the nipple is provided a series of radial exit-ports 5. A cap 6 has its flanged edge screwed to the protruding upper end of the meter-nipple, and in said flange of the cap is provided a series of radial ports, which when the cap is properly attached to the nipple register and aline with the ports 5 in the nipple, thus providing for the uninterrupted ilow of gas from the meter and nipple into the valve-box. The cap 6 is provided with a central opening to receive the lower end of a valve-stem, presently referred to. The lower exposed end of the meter-nipple has an annular flange 8, and to this iiange is connected a coupling 9, by which the nipple may be conveniently attached to the meter.

The plug 2 is screw-threaded peripherally to enable it to be screwed into the internallythreaded lower end of the cylindrical casing, and this plug cuts off direct communication between the cylindrical casing and the valvebox, the joint between the plug and the casing being liquid and air tight, so as to prevent the direct passage or iiow of gas from the valve-box into said casing. The plug 2 is provided at its center with a port l0, constituting a valve-seat, and into the upperside of this plug is screwed the lower threaded extremity of a gas conduit-pipe ll, said pipe ll being in vertical alinement with the valveseat lO. This pipe extends longitudinally with respect to the cylindrical casing, and it is located centrally therein, the upper end of said gas-pipe terminating,preferably, on a line below the upper open end of' the casing l. The upper end of the gas-pipe is externally threaded and provided with a series of radial ports l2. This open upper end of the pipe ll receives the internally-threaded and iianged cap 13, the flange of which is provided with radial ports 13, which coincide with the ports 12 in the gas-pipe and thus provide for the IOO egress of the gas from the pipe 11 into the gasometer 15. The cap 1S is provided with a central orifice or aperture, which isin alinement vertically with the aperture in the cap 6, and through said apertures of the caps G and 13 passes a valve stem or rod 14. To this valve stem or rod, nearits lower end, is attached the valve 11, which is adapted to seat itself in the seat 10 provided for its reception in the plug 2, and the upper end of this longitudinally-extending valve-stem is connected operatively with the head of the gasomcter 15 in order that the valve and its rod may move or play in unison with the play of the gasometer, whereby the area of the port 10 may be varied in proportion to the pressure of the gas.

The gasometer 15 consists of a drum or casing and a tubular extension 15. The tubular extension protrudes from the bottom of the enlarged drum of the gasometer, and the upper end of said extension opens into the drum, so as to communicate directly therewith. The tubular extension 15 of said gasometer is of a diameter less than that of the cylindrical casing 1, and said gasometer extension is arranged within the casing so as to occupy a position between the tube or pipe 1l and the cylindrical casing 1, as clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. The lower end of the tubular extension 15 is immersed in the liquid forming the seal at the bottom of the cylindrical casing l, and thus the gas passing through the tube or pipe 11 directly into the gasometer extension 15 is prevented from escaping from the gasometer and the casing 1; but the gas is free to pass through the tubular extension 11 into the drum ofthe gasometer, as will be readily understood.

The connection between the upper end of the valve-stem 14e and the head of the gasometer is effected by means of a yoke 1S, which in Fig. 1 is shown as of looped or bracket form, attached centrally to the head of the gasometer. This looped yoke has an aperture through which passes the upper threaded end of the valve-stem, and on the threaded part of the valve-stem are screwed the check-nuts 19, which bear against opposite sides of the yoke. The yoke may be fastened to the head of the gasometer by soldering the parts together, or, if desired, a bolt or bolts may be employed to attach the yoke to the gasometer.

The outlet-pipe 19 is carried by the head of the gasometer and is arranged in central relation thereto and to the other working elements of the governor. In the drawings I have shown this outlet-pipe as forming an integral part of the head of the gasometer, the lower end of the pipe opening directly into the chamber of the gasometer-drum; but it will be evident that this outlet-pipe can be made separate from the gasometer and be attached rigidly and in an air-tight manner to the head ol. the gasometer. The upper end of the outlet-pipe 19 is reduced to form a neck 2O and an annular shoulder 20, and against this reduced neck and the shoulder is applied a iiexible hose or tube 21. lVithin the annular shoulder 20 the outlet-pipe is externally threaded in order to receive a coupling 22, which Fits over the hose or tube 21 and the neck 29, so as to bear against the annular shoulder 2O:l and connect the outlet-pipe and the hose or tube together in an air-tight manner.

The service-pipe, forming a part of the lixture in a dwelling or building, is indicated at 23, and said pipe is provided with a neck 23 to receive the other end of the hose or tube 21. This service-pipe 23 is also screw-threaded externally, so that a coupling or gland 24 may be attached thereto and form a tight joint between the hose or tube 21 and the service-pipe 23,as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. lt will be evident that the couplings 22 and 24 clamp the ends of the hose 2l to the outlet-pipe 19 and the service-pipe 23 to secure tight joints between the gasometcr and the service-pipe, and this flexible tube or hose 21 provides for the proper vertical play of the gasometer without in any wise disturbing or breaking the air-tight connection between the governor and the servicepipe.

The gasoineter is counterpoised by the employment of the drop-weights 25, any desired number of which may be employed. These drop-weights are attached to Iiexible ropes or chains 26, which are guided in grooved pulleys 27, and said cables or ropes 26 are fastended to the head of the gasometer by providing lugs 28 externally on the head of the gasometer. The pulleys 27 are loosely journaled in the upper ends of the standards 29, which lie alongside of the gasometer and have their lower ends fastened in the arms of a spider supported on the cylindrical easing 1. As shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings, the spider 30 is made in sections 'for the purpose ot' ready assemblage around and application to the cylindrical casing 1 below the drum of the gasometer 15. The sections of the spider are ot semicircular form and flanged at their ends to overlap one another and receive the fastening-bolts 3l, which serve to clamp the spider rigidly and detachably around the cylindrical casing 1 ot' the governor. This spider has the radial arms 32, provided with vertical apertures to receive the lower extremities of the standards 29, and the nuts 33 are screwed upon threaded parts of the standards 29, so as to bear against the radial arms 32 of the spider and thereby hold the standards rigidly and detachably on the spider.

My improved governor or pressure-regulater is applied to a meter and the servicepipe by attaching the coupling 9 to the meter and the coupling 24 to the service-pipe. The gasometer is nearly balanced by the employment of the counterpoise-weights 25, and when normal conditions prevail the pressure of the gas within the gasometer elevates the latter, so as to raise the valve 1l to a posi- ICO IIO

tion where the gas in proper volume will pass freely through the plug 2, the pipe or tube 11, the gasometer, the outlet-pipe 19, and the hose or iexible tube 21 to the service-pipe. A decrease in the pressure of the gas permits the gasometer to descend and lower the valve 14, thus increasing the areaa of the port in the plug 2 and permitting an increased volume of gas to pass into the gasometer through the pipe 11; but when the gas-pressure increases the gasometer is raised and the valve 14 thereby closed or partially closed to reduce the volume of gas passing from the valve-box 3 and the meter into the gasometer. I may employ a series of split weights 35, (indicated in Fig. 1,) to be placed on the head of the counterpoise gasometer, and by changing the removable weights the pressure of the gas can be regulated according to any desired degree, so as to control the consumption at the burners in proportion to the pressure of the gas liowing through the meter and the governor.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be observed that I have provided an extremely sensitive and efficient governor in which the volume and pressure of the gas passing through the gasometer are regulated by the adjustment of a valve which is movable with the counterpoised gasometer.

I am aware that changes in the form and proportion of parts and in the details of construction maybe made by a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. I therefore reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as clearly fall within the scope of my invention.

The liquid which forms the seal in the foot of the cylindrical casing and in which plays the tubular extension of the gasometer may consist of quicksilver, glycerin, or a mixture of said liquids; but, if desired, other substances may be used to maintain the liquid seal between the casing and the gasometer.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 1. In an automatic gas-regulator, the combination of a valve-box, a easing attached thereto, a head or plug between the valvebox and the casing and provided with a central port, a gas-tube attached to the plug or head and having a radially-perforated cap at its upper end, a meter-nipple attached to the valve-box in line with the gas-tube and likewise having a radially-perforated cap, a counterweighted gasometer-drum tted in the space between the casing and the gas-tube, a rod passing through and guided in the caps of the gas-tube and the meter-nipple and attached at its upper end to the gasometerdrum, and a valve carried by said stem, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic gas-governor, the combination with a casing adapted to contain a liquid seal, of a valve-box coupled to said casing, a gasometer having a pendent tubular extension movably tted Within said casing to be immersed in the liquid seal therein, a gas conduit or pipe connected to said valvebox and extending into the gasometer extension to discharge directly thereto, and avalverod attached to the gasometer and carrying the valve which plays within said valve-box, a spider clamped on said casing and having radial arms which extend beyond the gasometer, the upright standards, fixed to the arms of the spider, and the drop-weights attached to the gasometer and guided by said standards, as and for the purposes described.

3. In a pressure-regulator, the combination with a valve-box, and a seal-containing tube xed to said valve-box, of a gasometer-drum of larger diameter than said seal-containing tube and provided at its lower side with a contracted tubular extension which is fitted loosely in the seal-containing tube to be immersed in a liquid seal therein, a spider clamped externally to the seal-tube and carrying counterWeight-guides, counterweights fitted to said guides and connected with the gasometer drum, and a valve rod fitted in the valve-box and movable With the drum, substantially as described.

4. In a pressure-regulator, the combination with a valve-box, and a seal-tube, of an enlarged external gasometer drum provided with a pendent tubular extension which is` housed loosely in said seal-tube to be immersed in a liquid seal therein, a gas-tube lixed to the valve box and situated within the tubular extension of the gasometer-drum to discharge thereto at a point above'the liquid seal in the seal-tube, a meter-nipple discharging into the valve-box, and a valve-stem guided in the gas-tube and meter-nipple and movable with the gasometer-drum, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. WITT.

Witnesses:

W. O. H. SHEPARD, H. F. AHRENS.

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